JUDGING PERIOD - 1 April 2016 – 31 May 2017


Actuarial Firm

Open to all actuarial firms or internal divisions serving the US captive market. The award looks at firms who demonstrate excellent service, meeting clients’ needs and satisfaction. Judges will be looking for companies whose customers hold in high regard their loss reserving, risk modelling, business planning, forecasting and the development of early warning systems. Specific contributions to professional organisations and specific mention of participation in discussions with regulators to support (or resist) regulatory developments will also be considered. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Captive Healthcare Specialist

Open to firms who specialise in healthcare captives or healthcare risks. The judges are looking for examples of firms showing true signs of innovation and depth of understanding of the sector, the client’s needs and regulatory requirements. Contributions and involvement in professional organisations and/or regulatory developments will also be considered. Specific service offerings, service levels and overall success of the business over the last 12 months should also be demonstrated. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels.

Captive Innovation Award

This award is open to all service providers and will recognize those firms that have a proven track record of bringing new ideas, working practices and products to the captive insurance industry.  Submissions will demonstrate how innovation has been executed in practice during the 12-month judging period.  Case studies and testimonials are encouraged. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels.

Captive Management – Enterprise Risk Captives

Open to managers working with captives making the 831(b) tax election. Entrants will demonstrate a deep understanding of the nuances and sensitivities surrounding ERCs. They will also show a proven track record in working with smaller captives and a strong level of customer care. Judges will be looking for managers who show responsibility in the promotion and structuring of ERCs. Client testimonials are encouraged. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Captive Management – Group Captives

This award is open to all firms managing group captives serving US businesses. Entrants should demonstrate examples of clear and bespoke customer service provided to its clients and how effort is made to produce customised solutions. Judges will be looking for examples of innovative group captive programmes and continued attention to client needs. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Captive Management - RRGs - NEW FOR 2017

This award is open to all firms managing risk retention groups. The judges will be looking for examples of strong customer service and a deep understanding of the RRG market and the intracacies of managing them. Case studies and client testimonials are encouraged in this category. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Captive Manager of the Year

This award is open to all captive management firms who currently manage business for US parent companies. Awarding excellence in all areas of captive management we are looking for evidence of business growth by revenue and client numbers, service offering and head count and above all client satisfaction. Judges will look for applicants to demonstrate their diverse product offering and solution based services, advances use of technology, accessibility for clients and initiatives developed or implemented during the judging period. Client testimonials are encouraged. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Captive Manager of the Year – Independent

Open to self-managed captives and captive managers that are not owned by a larger broking or insurance company. Our judges will look for the highest standards of customer care and satisfaction, excellent reporting processes and access to the team. Judges will also be looking for innovative ways to manage your clients risk and insurance structures. The judging panel would also like to see evidence of business growth and key staff playing an active role in industry discussions and setting the agenda for the industry. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..


Captive Owner Initiative - NEW FOR 2017

Open to any American-owned captive that has implemented a new programme, or structure in the past 18 months. Submissions must clearly demonstrate why the captive’s initiative is innovative, ground-breaking and/or creating significant value. Captive owners are able to nominate themselves, while managers or other service providers are also welcome to nominate clients. Alternatively, a manager and owner can make a joint submission. The award, however, will go to the captive owner. This category will be judged by our Captive Industry Panel.

Captive Professional

This professional will have excelled in his or her field during the 12 month judging period. Their work will demonstrate innovation, forward thinking and a strong commitment to the US captive insurance industry. The individual may nominate themselves or be nominated by their organization or peer. This category will be judged by our Captive Industry Panel.

Captive Tax Specialist

Open to all tax attorneys or tax advisory firms servicing US-owned captives and their parents. The judges will look for excellence in technical tax advice, tax reviews and compliance. Use of software products and capabilities, particularly white-labelled will be considered by our judges. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Cell Company Initiative

Open to all cell companies and captive managers facilitating cell captives. The judges are looking for one specific and truly unique use of a cell company to suit a clients' bespoke needs. It may be an initiative made particularly tricky by the regulatory environment of the insured or due to a new type of risk. Cited examples can also include the evolution of a cell company into a single parent captive, although nominations should be clear to only choose one example to submit. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Claims Management Firm

Open to any claims management firm or claims handling division of a business who service captives. Judges will be looking for exceptional quality of service given to claimants whether through routine claims service or following complex issues for specific claims. Developments and use of technology will be considered by our judges. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Collateral Service Provider

This award is open to collateral providers offering Letter of Credit and Trust products. The focus is on customer care, client relations, tailoring services to the client’s needs and accessibility. Judges will look for the breadth of service offering and the efficiencies and benefits the client has achieved by working with the applicant. Evidence of business growth and increase of market share is also an important factor for our judges to understand. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

CPA Firm

Open to all regulated CPA firms serving US parented captives. Judges will pay particular attention to examples of efficiencies in areas such as GAAP, stat. auditing & tax reporting. They will also look for firms that can show a clear understanding of their client’s specific and unique requirement. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Employee Benefits Consultant

This consultant can come from the actuarial, broker, pooling or legal side of the employee benefits ecosystem. They should demonstrate a clear specialism in the area of employee benefits and an ability to work with clients in either the design and implementation of a captive-backed employee benefits programmes and/or the ongoing management and servicing of an employee benefits programme. Detailed examples of projects completed during the judging period and client testimonials are encouraged. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Employee Benefits Fronting Network

This company will be able to demonstrate an extensive network able to front for and service large multinational companies implementing a captive-backed employee benefits insurance programme. The company will also be able to prove a track record in problem solving for clients and being flexible and innovative to meet clients’ needs. Detailed examples of projects completed during the judging period and client testimonials are encouraged. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Fronting Partner

This award is open to all insurance companies providing fronting services to US-owned captives. Judges will be looking for specific examples of problem solving and tailored fronting programmes to suit the needs of clients. The demonstration of international capabilities is important, however this category is seeking to highlight initiatives that set fronters apart. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Global Programme Initiative - NEW FOR 2017

Open to all firms working with US-based multinational clients in the implementation, structuring or servicing of global programmes. The judges will be looking for a deep understanding of how captive-backed global programmes work across both mono and multi-line programmes. They will also seek one clear example of an initiative undertaken for an individual client or a new servie made available to all of its global programme clients. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Industry Advocate

This professional will have excelled in his or her field during the 12 month judging period. Their work will demonstrate innovation, forward thinking and a strong commitment to the US captive insurance industry. The individual may nominate themselves or be nominated by their organization or peer. This category will be judged by our Captive Industry Panel.

Innovative Use of an ART Structure

Open to all firms who design/manage/consult on ART structures. This award will showcase firms who have displayed creative and innovative design while ensuring effective cover. Evidence of cost benefits, efficiencies, complexity or simplicity of the structure and use of alterative markets such as the capital markets or using the structure as a profit centre will all be considered. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Investment Management

Open to asset managers and investment advisors. This award will be presented to the firm that best exhibits unrivalled customer care and innovation. A clear understanding of clients’ specific and unique requirements should be communicated, while new and/or unique products will be looked upon favourably. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

New Captive Formation - NEW FOR 2017

Open to any captive or RRG formation in the past 18 months. Submissions should explain the rationale and need for the captive and the benefits it is projected to bring to the parent. Captive owners are able to nominate themselves, while managers or other service providers are also welcome to nominate clients. Alternatively, a manager and owner can make a joint submission. The award, however, will go to the captive owner. This category will be judged by our Captive Industry Panel.

Non-US Captive Domicile

Open to all captive domiciles outside of the United States housing US-owned captives. Judges are looking for evidence of the highest standards of regulation, accessibility, care and efficiency. Innovation in regulatory acts passed during the official judging period, the number of new formations and growth in premium written, will also be considered. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Law Firm

Open to all law firms operating either ‘offshore’ or in the United States, serving US clients and their captives. The award recognises contributions to the captive market through legal expertise and innovation, strategic vision and business winning client care. Specific contributions such as participation in discussions with regulators to support (or resist) regulatory developments should be cited in your submission. The judges will also be keen to see case studies and/or client testimonials. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

The winner of this special award will be presented to an individual who has made extraordinary contribution to the success of the US captive industry through their illustrious career. The individual may nominate themselves or be nominated by their organization or peer. This category will be judged by our Captive Industry Panel.

(Re)Insurance Company

Open to all insurance and reinsurance companies by providing services to US-owned captives. The judges will be looking for entrants to display a wide range of services and functions available to their clients, as well as an appetite for problem solving. Alternatively, submissions can focus on one core strength or innovation that sets them apart from their peers. Case studies and/or client testimonials are encouraged. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Rising Star - NEW FOR 2017

This category will recognise a younger professional working in the captive industry, either for an insured that owns a captive or for a service provider. The individual will have made a strong impression within their own company or impressed in their work and interaction with clients. The winner will have demonstrated a passion for captive insurance and ambition to make a lasting impact on the alternative risk industry. This category will be judged by our Captive Industry Panel.

Risk Consulting Initiative

Open to any firm conducting risk consulting services for captive clients. The driver behind the award is to identify innovation in risk consulting over the last 12 months. Judges will look to identify KPI’s from the following: innovation from a particular transaction or deal, developments within new markets/risks and new product development. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Run-off Specialist

Providing an innovative and efficient approach to managing and/or acquiring captives in run-off, entrants should be able to demonstrate to the judges a proven track record of disposing of insurance companies no longer wanted. The judges will also want submissions to demonstrate the expertise and ability to provide a range of run-off solutions - from full acquisition, to loss portfolio transfers and novations. Management approaches and relationship with the end client will also be considered, as well as success stories. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Subrogation Specialist

The judges will be looking for examples of subrogation experts actively seeking out and providing valuable services to US captive owners. Demonstration of developing sustainable relationships with clients and how subrogation can be utilised on an ongoing basis alongside an insurance programme will be welcomed. Client testimonials in this category can provide evidence of achievement in this category. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

Technology Initiative.

This award will focus on administrative processes and innovation. It is open to any firm in the captive insurance market - insurer, intermediary, service provider and technology specialist - that can demonstrate that the application of new software, hardware or information and communications technology has enhanced the quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of managing insurance risk placed in a captive, running a captive company or captive management firm. The judges will be looking for evidence of greater efficiency, customer service, lower error rates and effective implementation within agreed budgets and timetables. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels..

US Captive Domicile

Open to all US states with active captive legislation in the US for the entirety of the judging period. Judges are looking for evidence of the highest standards of regulation, accessibility, insured care and efficiency. Innovation in regulatory acts passed during the official judging period, the number of new formations and growth in premium written, will also be considered. This category will be judged by one of our Captive Owner Panels.